Day 4: The signs of the times
The [religious leaders] came to Jesus and tested Him by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied... ’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times..." (Matthew 16:1-2).
Sovereign, Eternal God our Father, no one can fathom what You have done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11). But You have clearly revealed Yourself to us (Psalm 19:1-2, Romans 1:20). Yet we constantly question, and challenge, and reject and rebel.
And all the while, we ignore the truth and the knowledge that You have distinctly given — refusing to apply the logic we use in all other areas of life. Like the religious leaders we apply wisdom selectively (Matthew 16:2). Like the children in the marketplace (Matthew 11:17), we contradict our own arguments in order to follow a firm commitment to opposition.
Yet Lord, You have shown us Your love, giving us Your gospel in ways that do not demand blind faith. But You do require of us faith that believes You exist and that You reward those who earnestly seek You (Hebrews 11:1).
You desire us to be sober and vigilant, and to interpret the signs of the times. But You do not want us to be excessively preoccupied with, and unduly consumed by signs, speculations, and timetables, and lose sight of the essentials. Even as we look to our future hope, keep us focused on the central message of the gospel:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
To the Pharisees and Sadducees who demanded a sign, You offered the sign of Jonah: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:39-40).
The Lord Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead. He... gave many convincing proofs that He was alive (Acts 1:3). But skeptics persist in unbelief. Scripture shows us that although Your words prove to be trustworthy and true (Revelation 22:6), the hardness of unbelief will not be swayed.
Ultimately we will each be committed to our choice: the one who does wrong [will] continue to do wrong... the vile person [will] continue to be vile... the one who does right [will] continue to do right; and... the holy person [will] continue to be holy” (Revelation 22:11).
Lord, all around us are convincing proofs of Your great love — Your supreme sacrifice that delivers us from death and judgment. Help us not to arrogantly despise You great gift and walk through the smoke and fog of unbelief into destruction.
May we be among those who say: I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me (Psalm 13:5-6).
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